Wesley 'Wes' Dale Soper

Wesley "Wes" Dale Soper, 55, Surrey, N.D., passed away peacefully on Friday, April 7, 2023, after a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer. By his side, holding his hands and loving on him until the end were his wife and his sister.

There will be no reviewal, as cremation has taken place, however, friends may sign a guest register on Friday, April 14, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, N.D. A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Glenburn, N.D.

A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Wes was born on May 28, 1967, the first born to Carolynn (Fuhrman) Koester and John Soper in Glasgow, Mont. He grew up in Glasgow and spent as much time as possible at his favorite place, his grandparent's farm in the Opheim, Mont., area. Wes spent many hours learning life lessons from his Grandpa Fuhrman and then later on from one of his mentors, Uncle Brian, who eventually took over the family farm. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1985. He furthered his education graduating from Dawson Community College in 1988 and then from Minot State University with a criminal justice degree in 1990.

Out of college he worked at a few local landscaping and construction companies. In 1995, he started at Cenex Harvest States (CHS) where he found his passion in truck driving. After spending 16 years there, he then went on to work at other companies and was currently employed with United Quality Cooperative where he spent the last five years.

In addition to driving truck, he started his own business, Soper Bobcat Service, where he enjoyed working in the dirt with his skid-steer and backhoe.

While working on a friend's yard in Minot, he met the love of his life, Jamie Paulson. They were married on Sept. 18, 2004. They made their home in Surrey where they later welcomed their daughter, Rylee, who was born on Aug. 4, 2012. From the first time he held her, he was instantly in love and their bond as father-daughter is unbreakable. She is definitely the shining light in his life – his pride and joy.

Outside of work, Wes loved spending time with his family, hunting and more recently teaching his daughter one of his loves, shooting. Wes also enjoyed searching for the perfect classic car, tinkering in his shop, attending auction sales to find the deal of the day, and riding motorcycle. One of his favorite memories is the day he got to take Rylee out for her first ride on his 2018 Indian Chieftain.

Wes was dedicated to his community being a volunteer firefighter for over 25 years on the Surrey Fire Department proudly reaching the rank of Assistant Fire Chief.

Wes had a heart of gold and was a friend to many. It didn't matter if you were his neighbor, co-worker, relative or acquaintance, he was willing to offer his time, knowledge, and support in any way he could.

Wes is survived and missed by: his loving and devoted wife Jamie of 18 years; their precious daughter Rylee; his mother Carloynn (Ellis) Koester; his father John Soper; his sister Elaine (Kelly) Christianson; his half-sister Savanah Soper; his step-brother Merlin (Renee) Koester; his mentors Uncle Brian and Aunt Deneen Fuhrman; his numerous other uncles, aunts and cousins; his nephews Dylan (Tiffany and family), Trey, Trevyn, Charlie, Kole; his nieces Kalynn (Dylan and family), Megan: his parents-in-law Kevin (Lynn) Paulson, Sherry (Bob) Bruce, Claudia Paulson; his brother-in-law Keith (Katie and family) Edwards; and his grandfather-in-law Lavern Paulson.

Wes was greeted in heaven by his grandparents, Clarence and Charlotte Furhman; step-brother Kent Koester; lifelong friend Greg Skiff; brother-in-law Chris Paulson; grandmothers-in-law AnnaMae Paulson, Claudine Brown; and other loved ones.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dean Piatz, Terry Wanner, Terry Volk, Bill Soper, Mack Mardikian, the late Greg Skiff.

Memorials made will be given to a children's cancer organization and the Surrey Fire Department.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Trinity Hospital, Sanford Hospital and Trinity CancerCare Center who took great care of Wes the last six weeks of his life, especially Dr. Padgett and Dr. Hoff. The compassion and support they gave us as we walked this journey was incredible.

Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, are in charge of the arrangements.